Although best known as the rhythm guitarist who for three years played Izzy Stradlin's replacement in Guns N' Roses, Gilby Clarke's resum� pre-dates all of his former bandmates.

Clarke, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, began his recording career in 1985 with obscure pop-rock outfit Candy, releasing one album entitled Whatever Happened To Fun? After a brief stint as lead vocalist after his predecessor left the band, Clarke moved on to L.A. metal band Kill For Thrills, assuming lead vocals, who also issued one album in the wake of Bon Jovi and GN'R's success: 1990's Dynami ...read more

Although best known as the rhythm guitarist who for three years played Izzy Stradlin's replacement in Guns N' Roses, Gilby Clarke's resum� pre-dates all of his former bandmates.

Clarke, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, began his recording career in 1985 with obscure pop-rock outfit Candy, releasing one album entitled Whatever Happened To Fun? After a brief stint as lead vocalist after his predecessor left the band, Clarke moved on to L.A. metal band Kill For Thrills, assuming lead vocals, who also issued one album in the wake of Bon Jovi and GN'R's success: 1990's Dynamite From Nightmareland. Incidentally, the group's other guitarist was Ryan Roxie, who would succeed Clarke in the full-time incarnation of Slash's side-project 'Snakepit..

Failing to secure their place on the pop-metal train, Kills For Thrills split, leaving Clarke free to take-up the position of rhythm guitarist in Guns N' Roses, on the recommendation of the departed Stradlin. Beginning in Dublin in late 1991, Gilby was a full member of Guns N' Roses and he saw out the remainder of the 26-month tour, barring a couple of weeks on the sidelines following a motorcycle accident. He recorded one album with the band, 1994's punk covers CD The Spaghetti Incident? before being fired by Rose, who wished to take the band in directions which didn't suit Clarke's rough, bluesy style.

Undettered, Gilby chose to pursue a solo career, which he'd launched that same year with Pawnshop Guitars, an album which featured all of the then members of Guns N' Roses in some capacity (including a duet of the Rolling Stones' 'Dead Flowers' with Axl) and a guest appearance by Pixies' Frank Black.

His mix of L.A. hard rock, pop and '70s glam rock proved a short-term hit with the American public, and two moderate hits were scored: 'Tijuana Jail,' a tale of incarceration and escape in a foreign prison, and 'Cure Me... Or Kill Me,' both of which featured Slash on lead guitar. Subsequent mass success eluded him, unfortunately, though 1997's The Hangover, 1998's Rubber and 2000's 99 Live sold relatively strongly albeit in diminishing quantities.

In 2001, Clarke formed a band with former Stray Cats drummer Slim Jim Phantom called Col. Parker and released an album the same year, entitled Rock N' Roll Music and followed it up with his final solo release, Swag in 2002. He also took on numerous producing and touring jobs, including production of L.A. Guns' Shrinking Violet and touring with Heart.

In March 2006, it was announced that Gilby was to take part in the second series of CBS' successful 'Rock Star' reality TV show. He formed a band named 'Supernova' with M�tley Cr�e drummer Tommy Lee and former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted. The group will search for a singer on the show, which will air through the summer of '06, with an album (produced by Butch Walker) and tour due early the following year. « hide